Needmore Bamboo Co.
 
               
         Here are some photos of snow covered bamboo. Drier or fluffy snow will quickly melt off of the leaves but when we get heavier, wet snow or freezing rain the bamboo will bend to the ground. The canes may stay this way for weeks depending upon conditions, but usually after the thaw they will snap back upright perhaps staying slightly bent. It is good to keep this in mind when planting bamboo along roads & pathways as there will be extra maintenance during snow. Under these conditions I have to spend a couple of hours shaking the snow off of the groves that are in pathways and the groves along our driveway are a real issue. I finally installed a 'restraint' system to minimize the blocking of the drive but none the less after a big snow before I can tackle the snow shoveling I have to shake the snow off hundreds of canes. This is a good workout but you'll get soaked from lots of snow falling on you and down the back of your neck.
      I have observed that all of the Phyllostachys aureosulcata forms will tend to split and break under the stress of wet snow so they are not good choices for pathways. Other members of the genus such as Phy. bissetii and Phy. atrovaginata are far less impacted by the weight and would be better choices. The Phy. atrovaginata on large diameter canes in particular, seems to have much sturdier canes and tends to remain upright better than others but the smaller/younger canes will also flop over. I really love having bamboo next to pathways but be aware that there are additional maintenance issues and species selection can minimize this - too bad that a stunner like Phy. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' splits easily as it is a great impact bamboo for high traffic areas.